Trip starts in Cusco. We recommend spending at least 3 nights in Cusco before the trek in order to acclimatize. You will be picked up from your hotel on the morning your trek begins. Hotels and services in Cusco are not included, but we can add these upon request. All international flights route through Lima. Depending on your flight schedule, you may need to overnight in Lima the night before your arrival in Cusco. A hotel in Lima can also be added upon request.

Trip End

Trip ends in Cusco. You will be dropped off at your hotel evening your raft trip ends. The Cusco hotel is not included in this trip, but can be added upon request.

Trip Segment or Complete Package?

This trip is sold as a trip segment, meaning it does not include hotels or services in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, or other adventures, before or after the trip. We have hotel and other adventure packages that you can add on to this trip to make it easy to get exactly what you want.

Ausangate is the magnificent snowy mountain seen from the Inca capital of Cusco. It is the largest mountain in the Cusco region at 6,372 meters and it is still worshiped by the locals and the “Apu” god that resides at its summit.

TRIP DESCRIPTION

The Ausangate Trekking trip is a relaxed five-day trek around this awesome massif, taking you over several 5,000-meter-high passes, through llama grazing plains, ancient Inca villages, past red, blue and green lakes and remote campsites with spectacular views. The trek is mule supported so all the comforts of home can be taken, leaving you unburdened to fully enjoy the hike. Visits to hotsprings, friendly locals and amazing mountain views make this trek one of the great mountain circuit treks available.

LOCAL OPERATOR: AMAZONAS EXPLORER

For more than three decades Amazonas Explorer has led high-quality trips and alternative adventures throughout South America. Based in Cusco, its professionally trained guides, cooks and support crew bring their passion and skills to the travelers they serve and, in turn, build rewarding careers for themselves. This talented staff of local experts is focused on providing you with safe and comfortable adventures, all centered on making your holiday as memorable as possible.

After an early start you set off for the stunning drive to the trailhead, where you have a magnificent view of the awaiting Ausangate. On arrival at the community of Tinqui (3,800 meters), you meet the muleteers and enjoy an early lunch. You then set off for an afternoon of gentle uphill walking past open puna, highland meadows and several water tables. You may be lucky enough to see viscachas (the long-tailed highland rabbits), alpaca and llama herds, condors and Andean foxes before arriving at the campsite of Upis (4,400 meters). Here the hot springs, in the shadow of the snow-covered Ausangate, provide a spectacular yet eerie camp setting. After dinner, the muleteers ask you to join a “Jaiway” where you can make an offering to “Apu,” the mountain god, requesting a safe passage around the mountain. (Lunch, Dinner)

After a morning’s sharp ascent, you skirt the western shoulder of Ausangate at Arapa Pass (4,800 meters). The colorful moon-like rock formations are in stark contrast to the white beauty of Ausangate. The afternoon’s descent passes the spectacular Uchuy Pucacocha (little red lake) and its waterfalls before arriving at a campsite beside the red waters of Jatun Pucacocha (big red lake). (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

A day of mainly steady ascent rewards you with the passes of Apuchata (4,900 meters) and Palomani (5,200 meters).The beautiful azure lake of Ausangatecocha and the back view of Ausangate provide the backdrop for this fascinating but tough day. You pass through the traditional base camp used for mountain ascents before finishing with a descent to the campsite on the meadow below. Glacial moraines surround the campsite at 4,510 meters. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

You follow up the broad green valley to the small lake of Ticllacocha. More viscachas and hopefully some rare vicuñas should accompany you on the journey. Your last big pass now lies before you, the Campa Pass (5,050 meters), which is the most impressive with glaciers, scree and snow providing a truly big mountain expedition feel. You descend to the meadow below to camp at 4,650 meters. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

This morning, you have a gentle downhill hike to the hot-springs at Pacchanta (4,360 meters) where you have a chance to soak your exhausted muscles in the lovely hot water pools. You continue the hike down to Tinqui where you meet a vehicle for the return journey. You wave goodbye to the mules and begin the drive back to Cusco for hot showers and cold beers. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Note: Accommodations in Cusco are not included, but can be added upon request.

travel logistics

Getting To and From the Trip:

You will need to overnight in Cusco at least 1 night before this trip starts, so that you can begin in the morning on Day 1. However, we highly recommend that you spend at least 3 nights in Cusco in order to acclimatize to the high altitude. You can arrive in the Cusco & Sacred Valley area on any day before the trek. Hotels, transfers, and tours in Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Sacred Valley are not included, but can be added upon request.

All international flights to Cusco must route through Lima. Most likely, you will need to overnight in Lima the night before you fly to Cusco. We can help you arrange a hotel and transfer services upon your request.

At the end of this trip on Day 5, you will be dropped off at your hotel in Cusco. You will be dropped off late in the evening, so you will have to spend at least one night in Cusco before continuing on to your next adventure. A hotel in Cusco is not included, but can be added upon request.

We can also help you add to your journey with trips to Machu Picchu, the Amazon, the Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, or any other destination in South America.

We do not sell international or domestic Peru airfare but partner with a flight specialty company, Exito Travel, who can arrange all of your flights for you, simplifying the process of this part of your trip.

Trip Start: Trip starts in Cusco. We recommend spending at least 3 nights in Cusco before the trek in order to acclimatize. You will be picked up from your hotel on the morning your trek begins. Hotels and services in Cusco are not included, but we can add these upon request. All international flights route through Lima. Depending on your flight schedule, you may need to overnight in Lima the night before your arrival in Cusco. A hotel in Lima can also be added upon request.

Trip End: Trip ends in Cusco. You will be dropped off at your hotel evening your raft trip ends. The Cusco hotel is not included in this trip, but can be added upon request.

Complete Your Trip

This trip is sold as a trip segment, meaning it does not include hotels or services in Machu Picchu, Cusco, or the Sacred Valley, or other adventures, before or after the trip. We have hotel and other adventure packages in the Cusco and Machu Picchu area that you can add on to this trip to make it easy to get exactly what you want.

International and domestic Peru flights are not included, but can be booked through our travel partner Exito Travel. Depending on your flight schedule, you may need to overnight in Lima. We can help you arrange a hotel and transfer services if this is necessary.

We can also help you add to your journey with trips to the Amazon, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, or any other destination in South America.

Hotels, transportation, and services in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, or Machu Picchu (can be added upon request)

Personal belongings

Sleeping bag (available for rent at $10 a night or bring your own)

Airport taxes (if applicable)

Personal or medical expenses

Travel insurance (required)

Tips for guide, cook, muleteers, etc.

Lima services (hotels, airport transfers, day rooms, & tours) are not included but can also be quoted for and organized on request

Services and meals not indicated

Accommodations

CAMPING
Gear includes spacious two person tents or single tents, dining tent, cook tent, portable camp toilet, and toilet tent. All camping and cooking equipment including Therm-a-rest inflatable mattresses, camping stools, tables, utensils, etc. Sleeping bags and pillows are not included, but can be rented upon request. Bowls of hot water are supplied in the morning and in the evening at camp. Clean hand washing water is available in camp. Filtered water is available in camp and at meal times (please bring a refillable water bottle).

You may also like…

Unique 5-day Inca Trail Trek itinerary gets you away from the crowds and gives more time to explore ruins
Acclimatize for the trek with off the beaten path hikes to explore the best ruins and sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley in this 9 day adventure
Expert guides, cooks, and equipment make this a truly top-notch experience, starting and ending at the Cusco airport
Trip Length: 9 Days
Destinations: Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, Sacred Valley, Cusco, Peru
Lodging: Comfortable camping, & boutique 3-star plus hotels
Activities: Trekking, Inca ruins
Dates: Trips depart every Saturday, March - December

A challenging and rewarding lodge-to-lodge trek to one of the most scenic and sacred Andean peaks. A combination of demanding hikes, authentic cultural experiences, and diverse alpine scenery. The local operator is also committed to making this as socially and ecologically sustainable a trip as possible. Enjoy time in Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu to sightsee and acclimate prior to starting your trek.
Trip Length: 8-11 Days
Destination: Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Ausangate, Peru
Lodging: 4-star mountain lodges, 3 star plus hotels in towns
Activities: Multi-day trekking, culture, ruins